Mrs. Fitzgerald

The best miniaturists often painted fashionable, aristocratic women such as those represented in this group. In contrast to a full-length painting, the miniature was able to represent the more private faces of these women, even while suggesting their elite status by the inclusion of fashionable hairstyles, hats, jewelry, and dress. Prints were also made after miniatures such as these, making them available to the collector for purchase and display.

Among this group of portraits of beautiful women, the Countess of Cork and Orrery, was the most celebrated. A 'blue-stocking', she was known for her wit and conversation, and often entertained Samuel Johnson, Horace Walpole, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mrs. Siddons, and Fanny Burney at her parties. Burney described her in 1782 as "one of those who stand foremost in collecting all extraordinary or curious people to her London conversaziones . . . She is between thirty and forty, very short, very fat, but handsome, splendidly and fantastically dressed, rouged not unbecomingly, yet evidently and palpably desirous of gaining notice and admiration." She was painted by several other artists, and her portrait would have been a desirable addition to any collection.